media center use during lunch at h.s.

[Wendy Lambert <wlambert@IAG.NET>]

Fellow LM_NET-ters,
I am at a high school that has adopted a one-hour
lunch period for all students this year. I have just
returned from a leave of absence and am very unhappy
with the use of the media center during this time.
Basically, the media center has become a "holding
tank" and students are, per administration's
directive, allowed to surf the Internet in the
computer lab or generally hang out. We have provided
some educational games (chess, scrabble) so that there
is something worthwhile going on for some of the kids.
However, the majority of students just come in and
hang out.
My concern is that this seems to be impacting the
general attitude toward the media center. I see the
difference in kids as they come in during class to a
place where they "hang out" before school and during
lunch.
If research shows that there is a direct correlation
between the quality of the media program and student
achievement, then certainly this mis-use of the media
center as a holding area does not lend itself to an
improved media program.
The above is my "take" and I am open to any and all
comments and suggestions. I look to you, my
professional colleagues, for your valuable input!
Thanks in advance!

Wendy Lambert
Library Information Specialist
Poinciana High School
2300 S. Poinciana Blvd.
Kissimmee, FL 34758
407.870.4860 ext 241
lambertw@osceola.k12.fl.us

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